Horsetooth Reservoir - 13 Things to Know Before Visiting

About 1 million people visit Horsetooth Reservoir every year. Recreation management is done by the Larimer County on the 1,900 acre public land surounding the reservoir.

Hiking, camping, boating, kayaking, and picnicking are just a few of the popular activities enjoyed at Horsetooth Reservoir. There are also numerous hiking trails that wind through the surrounding area, providing stunning views of the Rocky Mountains. For those looking for a more relaxing experience, the reservoir is also popular its get-away-cabins to luxury homes. The views are stunning, and the scenery is varied, from rocky cliffs to meadows full of wildflowers.

Bouldering has become an established sport at the reservoir since the 1960s as the hard Dakota sandstone in the area is a challenge for the climbers. Road cycling also has became as popular as hiking and mountain biking in the recent years, along its eastern edge.

For all the activities the reservoir offers, checkout their website.

Horsetooth Reservoir is a man-made body of water in Larimer County, Colorado. The reservoir was created in 1950 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, which was designed to divert water from the West Slope of the Rocky Mountains to the Front Range. Prior to the construction of the dam, the community of Stout had to be moved to a new location that today surrounds Horsetooth's South Bay. A few buildings of the community, including that of the old school house are now under water.

The reservoir is formed by the creation of four separate, large earthern dams, all completed in 1949 and equipped with seismic retrofit in 2004. The four dams are- Horsetooth Dam (47 meters high), Soldier Canyon Dam (69 meters), Dixon Canyon Dam (73 meters), Spring Canyon Dam(67 meters). In recent years, the reservoir has experienced relatively low water levels.

The best time to visit is from May to September. During this time, the weather is warm and dry, making it ideal for spending a day on the water. Plan to arrive before 10 AM or after 3 PM to avoid the peak crowds of the day.

1. Swimming is only allowed at the designated Swim Beach maintained by LCPOL as well as in some of the coves.
2. Fishing is no longer allowed from the dams due to security concerns.
3. Cliff diving is prohibited in all areas of the reservoir due to safety concerns.
4. Park rangers regularly patrol the reservoir to keep everyone enjoying the reservoirs safely.

1. Horsetooth Reservoir is the third busiest reservoir in the state of Colorado.
2. Horsetooth Reservoir is named after Horsetooth Rock, a rock fromation on the summit of nearby Horsetooth Mountain known for its its distinctive appearance.

There is no set time limit for exploring the reservoir, most visitors find that a full day is plenty of time to enjoy all that it has to offer.

The reservoir is located just west of Fort Collins, and there are a few different ways to reach it. The easiest way is to take I-25 north from Denver and exit onto highway 34. Follow 34 west until you reach the turnoff for highway 36, then take 36 south until you reach the reservoir. Another option is to take highway 287 north from Denver, which will take you right to the reservoir.

The entrance fee for the Horsetooth Reservoir is $10 per vehicle, and visitors can purchase a day pass or an annual pass. A up to date set of all the different entry permits and pricing can be found from the official website.

The reservoir is open year-round for activities such as fishing, camping, boating, and hiking. However, the hours of operation for each activity vary depending on the season. The Horsetooth Area Information Center that provides information about the different activities around the lake is open from 9 AM to 7 PM daily, from March to October. From November to February, it opnes only from Monday to Friday, from 9 AM to 4 PM.